Nadal al Port Brings Gaudí Lights to Port Vell From Nov. 27

Barcelona’s waterfront Christmas festival, Nadal al Port, opens its eighth edition on Nov. 27 and runs until Jan. 6, with Antoni Gaudí as its theme. The Port de Barcelona (the city’s port authority) is dedicating this year’s program to the architect’s link with the sea, in the year that marks the centenary of his death, El Nacional and betevé reported.

For the first time, Port Vell (the old harbor) and the businesses that hold concessions there, including Maremagnum, the Aquàrium and the World Trade Center Barcelona, are putting together one joint Christmas program.

A Sagrada Família tower as a Christmas tree

The centerpiece is an inflatable installation in Plaça del Portal de la Pau. It is modeled on the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família and stands in for a Christmas tree. The port is also decorating the area with around thirty lit figures, a canopy of trencadís (Gaudí’s broken-tile mosaic) and lighting on more than 150 lampposts.

Other inflatables are spread across the concession holders: a La Pedrera-style warrior at Maremagnum, a copy of the Park Güell dragon at the Aquàrium and a large star at the WTC. Each venue will also run its own Christmas program.

Light show over Moll de la Fusta

A large canopy of light over Moll de la Fusta will recreate Gaudí’s tilework in a light and music show. It runs three times a day, at 18.30, 20.30 and 22.30. Fèlix Ferrer is in charge of the creative concept and design direction.

New this year: a phone treasure hunt and a theater walk

El Secret del Port Vell is a digital gymkhana (treasure hunt) for mobile phones. Players follow an interactive map, scan QR codes on the Christmas decorations and answer questions and riddles about architecture, Gaudí and the harbor. It goes live at elsecretdelportvell.cat on Nov. 27 at 18 h, when the festival opens. Prizes include tickets to Circ Raluy Legacy, the Golondrinas boats and the Aquàrium.

“La Fada del Mar” (The Sea Fairy) is a staged walk along Moll de la Fusta in which children help the fairy rebuild the Star of the East so the Three Kings can reach Barcelona. Each child takes home a star to build and hang on the tree.

Circ Raluy Legacy moves to a new spot on Pla de Miquel Tarradell, on the Moll de la Barceloneta. The market of local food products also moves to the Moll de la Barceloneta, with some Barceloneta shopkeepers taking part, according to betevé. El Nacional said the Sabors de Nadal fair on Passeig de Joan de Borbó will sell Christmas food, crafts and local goods and run children’s activities organized by the Barceloneta traders’ association (ACIB).

Free port activities and boat visits

Fifteen tents run by port organizations will offer free activities where children can learn about port jobs. One new activity, “Peixet, d’on vens?” from the Barcelona fishermen’s guild, explains where the fish we eat comes from.

Visitors can board several vessels: the schooner Santa Eulàlia (from Dec. 15), the Open Arms, sea rescue and Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalonia’s police) boats, and the Golondrinas. The Fundació Barcelona Capital Nàutica will run sailing tasters on Dec. 7, 8, 19 and 20, and a dinghy sailing day on Dec. 12 with about sixty boats and close to a hundred children. An IMOCA round-the-world racing yacht will be moored at Moll de la Fusta.

The Christmas market, the Ferris wheel, an ice rink and performances by Ciutat Vella schools and groups also return.

What it means for families in Barcelona

From Nov. 27 to Jan. 6, families can use the waterfront for a mix of shows and free activities, from the light show to the port tents and boat visits. It also adds a second Gaudí draw to the city’s Christmas season, and it pairs well with a visit to the Gaudí buildings around Barcelona.

Opening night on Nov. 27

The opening is on Friday, Nov. 27 on Moll de la Fusta, the day after the city switches on its own Christmas lights. El Nacional gives 18 h as the start of the ceremony, while betevé reports that the lights go on at 18.27 h. After the switch-on comes the first light show, then more than a hundred singers from the Associació Messies Participatiu, with musicians from the Orquestra Barroca Catalana, will perform pieces from Handel’s Messiah. The evening ends with hot chocolate for the public. The full program is on the Port de Barcelona website.

Sources: El Nacional, La Vanguardia, betevé